For years, Travis has struggled to make friends and hold down a job. He attaches to people quickly, but his friendships usually involve a lot of intense arguments and conflicts. Recently, Travis has been experiencing extreme mood swings, shifting between feeling great and feeling terrible in the span of a few minutes. He’s exhausted and doesn’t know where to turn.
Have you ever felt like Travis? The symptoms he’s living with are often seen in people with borderline personality disorder (BPD). Those with BPD may have an intense fear of abandonment or instability. At the same time, their emotional outbursts, mood swings, and impulsivity may push people away.
BPD can interfere with a person’s ability to enjoy life, maintain relationships, or achieve their goals in work or school. Thankfully, treatment for BPD is available — working with a licensed psychiatrist, therapist, or another mental health professional can help you manage your BPD symptoms.
Are you ready to manage your symptoms and live a happier, more stable life? Reach out to our office at Thriveworks Counseling in Jersey City, NJ to schedule an appointment today.
Borderline Personality Disorder: Most Common Symptoms
Borderline personality disorder can be diagnosed as early as 12 years of age in some people but most diagnoses are made in late adolescence or early adulthood. BPD usually affects how you feel about yourself, how well you can relate to others, and how you behave. It’s a relatively common disorder and those who have it can experience a great deal of distress.
Some common symptoms of BPD include:
- Volatile mood swings lasting from a few hours to a few days
- Frequent changes in self-identity, self-image, and life goals
- Intense fear of real or imagined abandonment
- Periods of intense emotions and anger
- “Black or white” thinking
- Impulsiveness or risky behavior
Diagnosing BPD usually starts with an in-depth interview with your mental health provider. This can involve a psychological evaluation, questionnaires, a review of your medical history, and a discussion surrounding any symptoms you’re experiencing.
Receiving a diagnosis for BPD can help you take the first step on the path to a healthier state of mind. If you want to set up a session with a mental health professional, consider calling our office at Thriveworks Counseling in Jersey City, NJ today.
What To Expect From Borderline Personality Disorder Treatment
Borderline personality disorder is most frequently treated using some form of psychotherapy. This kind of treatment can help you learn skills to help you manage and cope with your condition.
Here are a few types of psychotherapy that can help:
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DPT): This therapeutic method was designed specifically to treat borderline personality disorder. Dialectical behavior therapy focuses on skills like regulating emotions, living in the moment, and managing interactions with other people. It can help you change your patterns of behavior and work through the things that cause problems in your life.
- Transference-focused therapy (TFT): TFT is a type of therapy that aims to help you understand your emotions and interpersonal issues. The client transfers their thoughts and feelings about others onto the therapist — this process can provide insights into how a client makes and maintains relationships.
Receiving a diagnosis for BPD is the beginning of a brighter future. Treatment can help you manage your symptoms and find a healthier, more stable state of mind. Your therapist or counselor can help you learn valuable mindfulness and stress reduction techniques to deal with negative and overwhelming emotions more effectively.
Medication can also be included in some treatment plans. While there isn’t a form of medication that treats BPD directly, certain prescriptions can eliminate some symptoms of BPD or make them more manageable.
Do you think you could benefit from consulting a licensed professional? Consider calling our office at Thriveworks Counseling in Jersey City, NJ to get started today.
Borderline Personality Disorder Professionals Available at Thriveworks in Jersey City, NJ
Do you think you might have BPD and want a diagnosis? If so, consider reaching out to our team of licensed mental health professionals at Thriveworks Counseling in Jersey City, NJ. Our compassionate therapists, counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrists can give you support and care along your mental health journey.
We know that finding time for mental health services isn’t always easy. That’s why we provide evening and weekend appointment options alongside a flexible cancellation policy.
While our Jersey City office is conveniently located, you can also work with our therapists or counselors from anywhere you’d like. We offer remote counseling appointments via phone calls and video chats to let you get mental health care without leaving your home.
If you think that working with a mental health professional may be right for you, getting support can be easier than you might think. Call our office today at Thriveworks Counseling in Jersey City, NJ to get started. We can’t wait to help you thrive.
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